Motorbike Courier Service

There is something about the teen years that seems to draw many children towards the idea of owning a motorcycle. As they get older, they feel that they have outgrown their bicycles and are talking or even asking about motorcycles.

It seems like a natural progression since a bicycle is basically a practice vehicle for a motorcycle... an unmotorized version. Many bicycles even have the brakes on the handlebars.

As parents, we are faced with some pretty tough decisions on an almost daily basis. When the children start getting older and these are the types of requests that we are faced with, the decisions get much tougher.

No one can make the decision for you, but perhaps we can cover some things that may help make your decision a little easier.

1. How responsible is your teen?

Some people are more responsible than others, it is just a fact of life. A large part of being responsible is simply paying attention and doing what needs to be done.

Does your teen take responsibility for themselves?

· Riding is a large responsibility, drivers do not see motorcycles as a rule. How many times have you missed seeing a motorcycle on the road?

· It takes time to build the reflexes that are needed to avoid many accidents. Are you comfortable that they will be alert enough to watch for the hazards of the road?

· Showing off is quick way to get into trouble riding. Excessive speed is another.

Will they be responsible enough to wear their safety gear?

· Even experienced riders have accidents, from having to lay the bike down to fatalities.

· The lack of protection from the motorcycle means that the rider's safety equipment is the only real protection that they have.

Will they take good care of the motorcycle?

· Motorcycles, unlike cars, do not have the added protection of full fenders. A car can be pretty abused by it's owner. A motorcycle needs careful attention to keep it running properly.

2. Have they ridden a dirt bike?

If they have experience with a dirt bike, this makes the transition to a motorcycle much easier. They have a feel for what an accident can be like, even if they were never involved.

They will already understand that getting on the bike means wearing their safety gear.

Equally as important, they will already know that riding means taking care of the bike.

3. How comfortable are you with the idea?

There are safety courses that may help. Contact your local chapter of the motorcycle safety foundation to arrange a course.

4. Do you believe that they will ride responsibly?

Riding responsibly means following the speed limit as well as the other traffic rules. Many teens see riders flying past cars and are attracted to the idea of speed. Motorcycles are more prone to being cut-off by other vehicles on the road. Greater speeds means less reaction time.

5. How heavily populated is your area, is the a lot of traffic on the roadways?

It goes without saying that the more traffic there is in your area, the greater the danger that they will be cut-off by a car when the driver doesn't notice the motorcycle. On the other hand, if you have a large number of motorcycles on the roads, the drivers will likely be more attune to watching for them.

6. What will they do for transportation in bad weather?

It's not always motorcycle weather. Rainy days, freezing roadways, snow storms, falling leaves and high winds all are bad conditions to ride in. Motorcycle traction is much different than a car and road conditions can make a serious difference for the rider.

7. How far is their commute?

Will they have to travel the freeway or just local streets?

8. How often will they ride?

Is the motorcycle going to be their only form of transportation?

Allowing a teenager to have a motorcycle is a personal decision. Many riders start out young and make out very well. There are younger children that ride dirt bikes exceptionally well.

They are at an age that they are not afraid of what will happen. Many times this is an advantage because they are more relaxed while riding. Without the fear, the time that it takes for them to become good at riding will be greatly reduced. Their reaction time may be a bit slower, but it usually improves with practice.